Fachhochschule Dortmund is contributing its artistic and technological expertise to the new state-wide AI competence network "K3 KI.Kunst.Kultur", making it a central university partner at the Dortmund location.
Fachhochschule Dortmund is part of the AI competence network "K3 KI.Kunst.Kultur", which is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and whose office will be located in Dortmund. Together with Theater Dortmund, Dortmunder U and other cultural and scientific institutions, it strengthens the role of North Rhine-Westphalia as a reference area for the use of artificial intelligence in art and culture.
The storyLab kiU, a laboratory for artistic research that contributes its expertise in the interplay of narrative forms, digital media and AI, is at the heart of Fachhochschule Dortmund's participation. Together with the co-production lab (cooperation between Dortmunder U, Akademie für Theater und Digitalität and storyLab kiU), MiRlab and UZWEI at Dortmunder U, storyLab will provide workstations, advisory services and space for guest lectures and workshops. As a university, Fachhochschule Dortmund is also a partner in the network to introduce students to the future topic of art and AI at an early stage. Guest lectures, seminars and other teaching formats are planned in which artistic, technical and social issues relating to artificial intelligence will be considered together.
Pioneering role of the K3 network
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is funding the establishment and operation of the office in Dortmund with around two million euros, initially until the end of 2028. The office will coordinate further education courses, knowledge transfer and networking formats that bring together cultural institutions, universities and politics across the state. "Artificial intelligence represents a great opportunity for artists - and is also a challenge in some areas: many artists are wondering what the developments mean for their profession and their work," emphasizes Culture and Science Minister Ina Brandes in the announcement of the network. She emphasizes that NRW is taking on a pioneering role nationwide with the K3 network and is making the existing knowledge on AI in art and culture better networked and usable.
By locating the office in Dortmund, the state is building on an established ecosystem of art institutions, universities and AI research, which includes Fachhochschule Dortmund, the Academy for Theater and Digitality, Dortmunder U, TU Dortmund University and institutions such as the Lamarr Institute and Fraunhofer IML. The new network thus creates a framework in which artistic practice, teaching and research in the field of artificial intelligence are closely interlinked and from which students and lecturers at Fachhochschule Dortmund will also benefit in the long term.